Microsoft is actively trying in every possible ways to fight GOOGLE to make its presence in this Internet Computing (Cloud Computing). Here are some new very interesting services...
1. Windows Live Folder Share (www.foldershare.com) beta
2. Windows Live Mesh (www.mesh.com) - Technical Preview
3. Windows Live Skydrive (http://skydrive.live.com/)
All earlier windows services are improved and updated like Hotmail, windows live writer, messenger etc.. There is one problem with Microsoft., still the customers (including myself) are not convinced that Windows Vista performs better. Personally I have lot of problems with the software's and sometimes with the drivers. All the tools that Microsoft creates is mainly for Windows Platform or at far to Mac. After using UBUNTU a bit (still not a mainstream OS) I really find Linux is so amazing and above all everything is for free. Also with Compiz Fusion Plug-ins they surpass the graphics provided by Microsoft or Even Mac. I guess Microsoft should consider effort of Linux developers and what ever service they create, the service should be open to LINUX as well. Any ways Linux always has tons of alternatives. Microsoft Silverlight is available to LINUX as MoonLight. Microsoft has promised Live Mesh for Linux as well but.... lets hope they do it. Lets get to the story ..
I am not sure what Google is up to these days. There are no new services while Microsoft remains quiet aggressive. The skydrive has been improved a lot. The interface the upload has all been improved. But I am still expecting for a desktop upload tool. There is an activeX control which allows you to drag and Drop. To find out more on skydrive visit http://skydrive.live.com or read my review here.It's been rumored that Google GDrive is in action but no news yet.
Ok Now Lets Move on to Windows Live Folder Share
This works Like a Peer to Peer File transfer Program ( a feature which I would like in Windows Live Mesh). It is very common these days that household have more than one computers. Managing Data and Sharing Digital Media and Documents is hell of work and keep it all in sync is very very difficult. I have a Home PC , A media center PC and a Laptop Computer + my Office PC. I need some documents to be all in sync but to do I use an external HDD and then carry data to every computer and Sync Using sync tools like SyncToy. With Windows Live Folders you may share the folders Peer-Peer.
Features:
1. Can sync Files of Different Computers.
2. Use FolderShare to create a mirrored image of your most important folders - like your Favorites, Pictures, and Documents.
1. Sharing files with Friends Sharing with friends, co-workers, and family is easy when you add and update files in a shared library.
2. FolderShare can sync files up to 2 GBs in size. And it works on both Mac and PC., Sorry No LINUX. :(
1. Get to your files instantly when you're away from home through Remote Folder Access
2. Can Install FolderShare in all the computers and Login with same ID and create a name for computer, to view all files.
It all Gets started Here
To begin with Folder Share Download your FolderShare Client for Windows or Mac.
After Download Install FolderShare.msi (For Windows)
Then when you begin
For New account click on Sign Up
After Creating .. You need to check whether your system ports are forwarded properly. Click on FolderShare icon on system tray and click on settings.. To set you need to add ports TCP 6571, TCP 8000, TCP 80 and TCP 443 forwarded to your computer. For Local computers on subnet if your Windows Firewall / Personal Firewall port is open then it should be fine. For Internet Access you should forward the port on your NAT router to your system IP. ( This is a difficult part in large enterprise system, I have not tried without forwarding, Yet to test. With forwarding it just works fine). uPNP port mapping is also available but doesn't seem to work well for me.
So now How to Share a Folder..
Go to FolderShare Website.. from the option in FolderShare Tray icon.
1. Create Personal Library
Select the folder and Click Create Library Here button.
2. Creating a Shared Library is the Similar. If you already have folder then Select the folder and Click Create Library Here button.
Just add the Email invitation. Invitation looks like this..
Just the respondent must download and you can share directly.
This works only when both are online Just like a Peer-Peer Sharing program. This does not have a online storage. Thus you may not able to transmit when one is offline.
3. View your desktop files remotely and Download.
Go to any drive. and then select the file.. and Can Download directly.
The Remote Computer has to be online to get the files.
But it is one of the best way to keep multiple computer folders in Sync.
Windows Live Mesh is something similar to this but has an offline file support. The more insight will be in next article..
I wish these services are integrated with MSN/LIVE Messenger. Actually Messenger has folder share. But its all independent. If it is under same cloud it would be great.
thanks for reading.. Enjoy FolderShare service..
Barath ..